German Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented on US President Donald Trump's decision not to implement additional tariffs on certain European countries. This decision followed a transatlantic disagreement concerning Greenland.
Merz stated his gratitude that President Trump had refrained from initial plans regarding Greenland and from imposing further tariffs scheduled for February 1.
The German Chancellor was in Brussels attending a meeting organized to formulate a joint European response to the previously threatened tariffs.
Merz also remarked that member countries should strengthen the resilience and robustness of the European Union. He added that the European Union, specifically its NATO component, must be capable of self-defense, noting that full achievement of this goal remains distant despite ongoing progress.